Joe Cole's injury hits England

Joe Cole is out of Steve McClaren's first England squad and will miss the start of the Premiership season after damaging knee ligaments in Chelsea's 1-0 defeat by the MLS All-Stars on Saturday.

The midfielder limped out of Chelsea's first pre-season friendly six minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute and left the stadium on crutches.

He flew back to London with his team-mates after the game and will have an MRI scan to determine the full extent of the injury.

McClaren names his squad this Friday for England's friendly against Greece. Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, whose side began their Premiership title defence against Manchester City on Saturday week, said: "Joe Cole is the real problem. Everybody is worried. I like his quality. He is the type I don't have elsewhere in my squad."